Rating: 
Summary: HP 5
Review: This Harry Potter book was better than any of them yet! The tragic part of the book was not at all what I had expected. This book is by far the best on the market! As soon as I got it I never put it down and carried it everywhere! 100% Interesting!
Rating:
Summary: Hooray for #5!
Review: This book is my close to my favorite in the series! It seems that J.K. has got her style back in the fifth in this fantastic series! I admit I was a bit dissapointed in the 4th one, The Goblet of Fire, but after I started reading this one, I was hooked. I read the whole thing straight through. J.K. has brought back the enchantment that she wrought in the first three of the series in this exciting story that will keep you reading through all 870 pages and will "leave Hogwarts, like Harry, only wishing for the train back."
So hop on the Hogwarts Express for a wonderful book! Hooray for #5!
Rating: 
Summary: Harry Potter falls short in it's spine that runs too long...
Review: Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix is J.K.Rowling's newest edition to the amazing series that really has swept the world with delight. But I'm beginning to feel as though her editors are too afraid to even touch her work to maybe suggest to her some edits. It's seems there are many "pointless" scenes (I put captions on pointless because she has been known to work random events into other books later) that drag too long. There just isn't enough plot in this book to sustain the 870 pages that the book drags.
As for the writing itself, I must applaud Rowing on her ability, as a writer, to make you feel like Harry does. At times I would get stressed out just reading about certain elements, but the book goes too far. It reaches into a very complicated government/believer issues that come off extremely childish at times. It seems to become more of a schoolyard he-said-she-said thing in the "prophet's" insults toward Harry. Altogether the whole situation is complicated - too complicated for younger children to understand. They will be satisfied by the story itself of course, but little kids won't pick up the message being said, and I doubt that they will take and compare any of it to today's media.
As far as that famous death... it really was pointless. There was no need to kill another character. In book four, Rowling did show us a darker and more shocking side of her writing with the murder of... well you know (not trying to spoil anything)... but that had shock effect and there was a reason... here there was none.
The whole story is good, but not great. Nothing really happens during the first half that will keep your interest, and even in the second half, you spend a lot of it waiting for the climax that, is of course, stunning and suspensefuly written. Overall this book feels like it's trying too hard to compete. Each book has been longer and longer, but the fact remains that I could care less if the book were only 200 pages, as long as it's good. But you will still be kept interested through this long book, which does seem to go by fast if your hooked. So has she gone too far with the darkness and the spine? In the end, maybe not... because it appears Rowing is just growing with her writing, as her fan undoubtedly are as well...
Rating:
Summary: A Good First Draft
Review: Halfway round the world from home, I tracked down a copy on 6/21, then read swiftly and eagerly for the next two days. It was nice to be back at Hogwarts after so long away, yet ....I'm reluctant to say it, but I think the book disappointed me. Perhaps JK's mega-success, coupled with an eagerness to get "Phoenix" out as quickly as possible, daunted the book's editor(s). Here's some of what I wish an editor had said: -- Even at the risk of being formulaic, the book needs a mystery/purpose to pull readers along. The Dept. of Mysteries dreams sort of do that, but they're not quite compelling. And the payoff (a prophecy that contains no great shock) is, alas, disappointing. -- Lose half the subplots, then flesh out the rest. -- Those interesting twists and nuances about old characters (Mrs. Figg, Aunt Petunia, Snape, etc.) need more developing. Otherwise, they're just distractions. -- Lupin deserves more airtime, especially since he's probably the only teacher (aside from maybe Dumbledore) that Harry has really confided in. And heaven knows Harry could use an adult mentor/confidant. (Even the moodiest teens usually trust *someone*.) -- The Order of the Phoenix (the group) needs texture. What do its members do? How do they do it? Given that they don't seem to act in concert, why have they all decamped to London? -- You set up Harry and Snape up for a dramatic confrontation/connection, but let it fizzle. Having Snape continue to tutor Harry would be far more interesting. Sooner or later, those two need to talk. -- Umbridge comes close to being a caricature. She'd be more believable if we had some sense of her perspective and motivition. Doesn't she really think she's doing good? Ditto for Fudge. -- Too many ancillary characters (Tonks, Rita, even Lana to some degree) don't quite earn their keep. Instead, they add needless complexity to the story. -- Why is Harry so drawn to Cho? Readers need to *feel* some sense of her allure. Couldn't he talk to Ron about it? -- Part of what made the earlier books magical was all those cool glimpses into wizard life (Owl Post, Tom Riddle's diary, the Knight Bus, etc.) "Phoenix" could use one too--aside from Umbridge's sadistic quill. Maybe our teen wizards can learn some magical way to deal with acne, for instance?
Rating:
Summary: A Magical 5th Installment
Review: This book was by far one of the greatest books of all time. The plot was totally unpredictable and Harry getting older was enchanting to watch. The new characters were so believeable I found myself hating Professor Umbridge just like the students at Hogwarts. It took me not even a day to finish this book. It just pulls you in to Harry's world and you'll never want to leave. I can't wait to see what's in store for Harry in the future!
Rating: 
Summary: A huge letdown
Review: My husband and I (both Potter fans) started reading this book together, and he absolutely refused to read further after the long and boring and irrelavant depiction of each floor in the Department of Ministry. Due to my unfailing loyalty to Harry Potter, I carried on. I carefully followed the plot and the characters, and when I finally finished the book, I cannot help feeling disappointed. About the same length as the fourth book, yet only one tenth the action and mystery. I love Harry Potter, so don't get me wrong. I have started re-reading the first four installments again, and I cannot believe after reading the fifth book, how much I love the first book (my favorites were the third and fourth). In the first book, Harry, while often being bullied by the Dursleys and provoked by Malfoy, maintained a great sense of humor. Yet in this book, it seems like he has lost all his quick wit. How sad!! Also, in the first book, more attention is paid to many other interesting characters such as the Weasley twins and Neville. In this book, however, the way Rowling treated the other characters is as if they never change, they only serve as some sort of background, while the only evolving and important person is Harry. The plot hole about Sirius' package is the biggest and most obvious inconsistency in these books (there are many, as I so carefully examined the books and their logics, since I love these books so religiously). About the death of the important character, I can only say there is absolutely no compelling reason for him/her to die! I feel Rowling is forcibly ending that person's life. Quite unnecessary, in my opinion. Maybe she ran out of ideas to further develop that person's character. All in all, a huge letdown. 1 star out of 5 for my deep disappointment.
Rating: 
Summary: Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix
Review: This is the fifth book in the Harry Potter series, and Harry, now 15 years old, has been left all alone at the Dursley's house for the summer. No news of Ron or Hermione, or even his godfather, Sirius Black. But after two Dementors were sent to attack Harry in Little Whinging, Harry starts to wonder what this is all about. What I found was a bit of a drawback was that the story took an extremely long time in developping and it was only during the 150 page or so that the book really started to get interesting. J.K. Rowling creates more depth into the Harry Potter character. As he grows older, readers come to realize that Harry is no longer the self-controlled and happy boy he used to be. In fact, it seems that all of his anger is bubbling up inside of him, and he has to get it out somehow. Harry seems more and more realistic, and teenagers will often be able to relate to his realistic side. In fact, his personality is becoming more and more like one of an adolescent: Harry no longer cares if he gets into detention, all he wants to do is scream at Professor Umbridge, the new Defence Aginst the Dark Arts teacher, who does not believe that Lord Voldmort has returned. Even though this was an interesting aspect of Harry's, at times I found that it was a bit annoying and I really felt like shaking Harry and screaming at him myself because he was just wallowing in self-pity. A new relationship is also starting to develop between Harry and Cho Chang, and this creates an even more realistic Potter; in fact, I was able to penetrate inside his skin more than ever with his new rebellious attitude. This book is full of new discoveries for Harry about love, death and a shocking discovery about his father. Harry soon comes to realize that people aren't always what they seem to be, and as the readers' plunge deeper into the wizard world, Harry becomes more acquainted with his true feelings and his connection with He Who Must Not Be Named. J.K. Rowling portrayed Umbridge beautifully and I think that she perfectly transmitted all of the hate Harry felt towards her to the readers'. She was a most despicable character and I think that is what made the story much more interesting. However, as a new villain enters the story, another enemy of Harry changes roles. My favourite chapter was when Harry got to see Snape's worst memory. Rowling makes the readers' have more pity upon Snape and, by doing so, makes us learn the truth about James Potter and Severus Snapes' relationship and why Snape hated Harry so. Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix has been highly anticipated, and it definitely does not let the fans down even though it is not as suspenseful and intriguing as the previous books. I was also a bit disappointed by the ending. The "big revelation" that Dumbeldore was going to tell Harry wasn't as big as I thought it was, though it certainly was one more clearing in all of this mystery. Overall, it was a very good book, but I am still debating whether the three year wait is all that worthwhile.
Rating: 
Summary: Harry Potter book 5 review
Review: This book was so good! I loved it i suggest every one read it. This book gave us a better feeling of how Harry reacts to certain things. I loved this book and I hope she comes out with her new one soon:)
Rating:
Summary: An Excellent Read For Any Harry Potter Freak
Review: This book, I believe, was even better than the last one. Harry finally evolves into a person who is growing up and going through some changes that may effect his live as he and us readers know it. Dumbledore tells him information that he and we have wanted to know for 5 years. Also in this book, we get to meet many old characters, and many new ones. The death in the end of this of this boook may shock you, as it did, me. J.K. Rowling said that this death left her crying and that this person is one of Harry's biggest "fans". And, just to let you know, Collin Creevy does NOT get killed, if that's what many of you were thinking. He doesn't even play a huge character in Book 5. He only has about 2 or 3 lines in the book anyway. All in all, the book was very good. It is a very good read for anyone who considers themselves a Harry Potter Freak.
Rating:
Summary: A Stunning Continuance to An Amazing Series
Review: First of all, this is not a spoiler, at least not by my standards. I will not give away the ending, key points of the plot, or who dies. However, I will tell you why this book is a 5 and hence, why you should read it
It begins with a surprising event near Privet Drive which leaves him in danger of expulsion and soon introduces him to the title order and its members.
After a quite interesting, i.e. eventful summer, he returns to Hogwarts, although not all for the best. With O.W.L.s coming up, he is nervous, a situation which is not improved by his obvious breaking-off with the less and less renowned headmaster Albus Dumbledore. On top of this one teacher is not preparing them sufficently for the O.W.L.s, but that is only the beginning of that teachers' problems. This too, doesn't even mention an escalation of tension with Snape and problems with his crush. New and old characters play a big part in this book, and a foray (that's all I'm saying) into the mysterious Department of Mysteries is finally made, as well as a short trip to Mr. Weasley's Ministry of Magic office. The book finally ends with not 1 but 2 startling endings. Buy it!! P.S. As a 15-year old myself, I can say that Harry's newpersonality was disturbingly (at least to me :) ) realistic and not ridiculous as some have said.
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